| dc.description |
There is escalating salinity levels on small islands due to uncontrolled groundwater extraction. Conventionally, this challenge is addressed by adopting optimal groundwater pumping
strategies. Currently, on Unguja Island (Zanzibar), urban freshwater is supplied by desalination,
which is expensive and energy-intensive. Hence, desalinization cannot be afforded by rural communities. This study demonstrates that the innovative Kilimanjaro Concept (KC), based on rainwater
harvesting (RWH) can remediate seawater intrusion in Unguja, while enabling a universal safe drinking water supply. The reasoning is rooted in the water balance of the whole island. It is shown that if
rainwater is systematically harvested, quantitatively stored, and partly infiltrated, seawater intrusion
will be reversed, and a universal safe drinking water supply will be secured. Water treatment with
affordable technologies (e.g., filtration and adsorption) is suggested. The universality of KC and its
suitability for small islands is demonstrated. Future research should focus on pilot testing of this
concept on Unguja Island and other island nations. |
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